Triangle Community Foundation's Responsive Grantmaking program is designed to support nonprofit organizations located in North Carolina's Triangle region—specifically Wake, Durham, Orange, and Chatham Counties. The funder, Triangle Community Foundation, is a philanthropic organization that connects donors with community needs in order to foster long-term regional improvement. Acknowledging the significant challenges faced by the nonprofit sector, especially due to recent political, cultural, and economic shifts, the Foundation has tailored this grant program to stabilize and strengthen local nonprofits during periods of leadership and organizational change.
This grant program seeks to address heightened concerns such as leadership burnout, staff turnover, and diminished access to federal funding, as underscored by data from the National Council of Nonprofits and the Center for Effective Philanthropy. It offers financial support to organizations navigating transitional phases, such as executive leadership changes, while also coping with increased community demand for services. The Responsive Grantmaking program aims to help these nonprofits sustain core services and adapt effectively to emerging challenges.
Funding is awarded in one-time project support grants of up to $20,000, with a total of $100,000 anticipated for distribution in the initial cycle. Grant-funded projects may include hiring consultants for leadership transitions, investing in professional development, wellness, or infrastructure improvements, creating innovative programming or development strategies, and strategic planning activities. However, this grant is not intended to replace federal or other continuous funding streams.
Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations based in and serving one or more Triangle Counties with at least a three-year operational track record and a minimum annual budget of $100,000. Organizations currently funded through other Triangle Community Foundation initiatives may still apply if they meet all other eligibility requirements. The Foundation allows only one application per organization per fiscal year.
The application process opened on May 1, 2025. An informational webinar is scheduled for May 19, 2025, and the application deadline is June 2, 2025. Applications will be reviewed from June 9 to June 30, 2025, with award decisions expected between June 30 and July 15, 2025. Evaluation criteria include the clarity of the organizational change described, the relevance of the proposed project, the organization's financial health, and the potential impact on organizational capacity. For inquiries, applicants can reach out via email at nonprofitservices@trianglecf.org or phone at (919) 474-8370.
